Novato Burglar Spurs Shelter In Place Order

NOVATO, CA — A shelter in place order was lifted Thursday night for residents in the area of Marin Valley Drive and Bolling Drive, in Novato, following an unsuccessful search for a potentially armed residential burglar.

Novato police were called to the 200 block of Marin Valley Drive at 7:17 p.m. after a resident reported coming home and interrupting a burglary, according to Novato Police Sgt. Wes Carroll.

Police asked residents to shelter in place at 7:48 p.m. as officers searched the area, aided by drones, canine units, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. Police said in the shelter in place order that the man was possibly armed with a knife.

The suspected burglar was last seen running into the creek area near Bolling Drive, Carroll said.
Police lifted the shelter in place order at about 10:30 p.m. after they came to believe the suspect had fled the area, Carroll said. He said police did not think there was an ongoing threat to the community when the search was called off.

The suspected burglar allegedly took some small items from the residence when he was interrupted by the homeowner and fled. The items were found by police nearby.

No injuries were reported.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic adult male in his 30s, about 5-foot-9, 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light brown baseball cap, neon green shirt and brown pants.

Anyone with information about the case can contact Novato Police dispatch at (415) 897-1122 and reference case number NP23-3267.

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